Friday, July 22, 2005

Would anyone be interested in creating a private forum where we could post our screenplays? I could start one off this blog, and we could password protect it so that only we, or whoever you want, will have access to reading it. It's a little less daunting then submitting it to a huge site like Zoetrope, or Helium for some honest feedback. Plus, we could hold discussions for each screenplay. I don't know, maybe it's too far reaching. But we have a nice little gaggle of people here who frequent each others blogs, so I figured it could be of use. I believe the forum The Artful Writer uses is free, and I could probably use it for our little community if anyone is interested.

18 Comments:

I would rather email directly upon request. I just like to know (to some degree) who has my material. Granted, I am on Zoetrope and don't have that control. I gave that control up for all the notes I got back.

I am more than happy to read anything that blog friends need an opinion on.

I can see your point. But I just hate Zoetrope. I had one screenplay on there, it got great reviews, and I read and reviewed my required 4 scripts. Then I'm told I have to read and review four more before I put another screenplay up for review. No thanks, reading 8 scripts to basically have 1 reviewed is not a fun excercise for me. Why should I have to wait to submit my second script for?

It will be a while before I have anything of my own ready for review, but I'd be willing to review other people's screenplays. Just one thing though. If it doesn't have nekkid women, explosions, and a happy ending then I'll probably say it sucks.

Extinction Agenda (the one I am rewriting now) has all three if by happy you mean downcast and full of revenge). Actually, the core cast is nude for much of the first act (it works within the context of the story - really)

Zoetrope people loved it. It is my version of Alien/Predator/Usual Suspects.

Well, I wouldn't mind reading your scripts. Actually, I would enjoy it. Problem is, I have a hard time reviewing. I can find good in almost anything, which may not be totally objective. I'm not hard enough on bad scripts I guess.

I like JD Carlucci's idea, we just pass them around amongst ourselves. There is a small handful of writer's blogs around and we are starting to get a feel for who we would trust, share opinions with on certain subjects etc, so when we get material ready for 'reading/critique' we should just make a call out on our Blogs or contact the Blogger directly with a heads-up'. I already read and offered suggestions/corrections for one spec script recently and I think we both enjoyed it.

I used to really hate movies with downer endings, but as I got older I learned to apprciate appropriate downer endings. It's the forced ones I can't stand. The kind of ending that was chosen to tweak the moviegoer rather than because it was a natural consequence of the events and choices made in the story.

Okay, I'm cool with the whole emailing scripts thing. Just thought it was an interesting suggestion.

I dig the 'downer' ending. I also consider the ending the most important part of a script. ( No! Act II!) Of course, I know the entire screenplay has to be good enough to hold interest to get 'whomever' to the end, but once they do, I punch them in the nose with it. Oddly enough, my last screenplay, Dead Trends, ended on a semi positive note. Something I never envisioned when I started writing it. Weird how the characters take over a script, isn't it?

I don't think I am in the crew yet as I am new to the blogging world, but I would love to read a few screenplays. I've written three, and I am working on two more this summer. I truly want to use writing as an outlet to get into the producing field and vice versa, so it would be great practice for me on either side.

Does anyone else find that when you include a downer ending it leaves you feeling incomplete? I like the idea of it, but when I try it I constantly feel the need to go back and change it. I guess I need to write it and get it away from me.

A downer end is fine for me, but my downers are usually a twist with revenge thrown in. I like to use downers in films I envision as a series (limited).

Actually, come to think of it, I write ALOT of downers. I think there is a better payoff in a downer and much more drama. I always try to make the downer a surprise with a twist that makes it worth the wait.

A lot of times, a downer ending is a surprise, which , in my mind, makes it stick out. The ending for Seven is a great example. If that movie ended without the box fiasco, but keeping everything else the same, what have you got? Same with Usual Suspects. You have two very good movies made classic by the endings.

Welcome lad! You're were a part of the crew as soon as you commented on my meager blog!

I have enough depressing shit happening in my life that I don't intentionally seek out depressing movies. I can appreciate them if they're done well, but I prefer the escapist fare that Hollywood routinely dishes out. I know, call me pedestrian, I can take it.

There's nothing wrong with seeking refuge in more hopeful/conventional films. But being the severly depressed person I am, they don't quite ring as true to me, hence I am drawn to films that fit into my dystopia. I think feeling depressed about certain things in life, and actually being depressed because that's who you are, are two different things, and I find people that are manic depressive, or bipolar, seem to flock to the same depressive theme with music and films, because that's what they consider normal life. At least I know I do.

Well thanks for not giving the usual reaction which is "Oh, stop! You choose to be depressed! Just be happier with your life! Is life so bad?!"that I usually get. I can assure you, or anyone, if I had a choice, I think I would be the happiest man in the world. I mean, really, who has the time to hate themselves, and life, anymore? :)